As the FIFA World Cup draws attention worldwide, Los Angeles’s Iranian community is seeking moments of unity amid deep political divisions tied to ongoing conflict involving Iran. The upcoming match between Iran and the United States, set for Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, is stirring a complex mix of emotions among Iranian Americans.

The two nations have a fraught history, with Iran having played in the United States only once before, in January 2000. That game required extended diplomatic negotiations and special security exemptions, underscoring the sensitive nature of sporting encounters between the countries. This year, Iran—ranked 21st globally and a consistent participant in recent tournaments—faces the possibility of a rematch with the U.S. in Dallas on July 3, should both teams advance past the group stage and finish second in their respective groups.

In South Los Angeles, several Iranian Americans are preparing to watch the match together. Shaheen Ferdowsi, 31, owner of Meymuni Cafe, is hosting a viewing party and has installed a large television to accommodate the gathering. Ferdowsi emphasized the unifying power of the sport, noting that his cafe’s name means “party” in Persian, reflecting a place for community amid politically charged times. He expressed a desire to avoid geopolitics, focusing instead on football’s potential to bring people together despite “devastating and very complicated” circumstances surrounding Iran.

Nonetheless, the match has prompted concerns about possible protests, as some Iranians in the diaspora, particularly those opposed to the Iranian government, may protest the Iranian team’s presence or avoid the game altogether. Some community members associate the team with the regime they fled and view attending the game as contentious. Additionally, FIFA’s decision to ban Iran’s pre-1979 revolution flag—emblazoned with a lion and sun emblem symbolizing monarchist opposition to the current government—could provoke demonstrations, although experts suggest such protests may be limited due to diminished activism within the diaspora.

Within the community, political views remain varied and at times divisive. A segment of Iranian Americans who support the exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi and regime change have tempered their initial enthusiasm as the conflict has escalated and civilian casualties mounted. By contrast, many oppose the war altogether; a recent poll found that approximately two-thirds of Iranian Americans do not support the conflict.

Fans like 35-year-old Anaheim resident Ashkan Karmi remain passionate about Iranian soccer, attending recent games and planning to bring the banned lion and sun flag to the stadium as a statement against the Iranian government, despite anticipating it being confiscated. For Karmi, the match serves as a connection to his homeland and family members who live under the stress of ongoing military actions.

Other community members, such as Christina Lila Wilson of West Los Angeles, point to the contrast between Iranian cultural values of hospitality and the pressures placed on Iranian players in the U.S. She and her extended family, representing diverse faiths and perspectives within Iran’s diaspora, will watch the match together, anticipating the potential for heated debates but hoping the game might foster a sense of solidarity and offer an outlet for collective frustration.

As Los Angeles hosts some of Iran’s group matches, residents in the city with the largest Iranian population outside Iran grapple with balancing national pride, political convictions, and the human cost of war. For many, the team embodies the resilience of the Iranian spirit, serving as a rare opportunity for the community to find common ground amid a politically charged global event.